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Riverview Hospital Artifact Collection
The Riverview Hospital is a significant part of Coquitlam’s history. The mental health hospital was constructed on 1,000 acres of land within the unceded and ancestral territory of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwitlem) people. When it opened in 1913, it was known as the Essondale Branch of the Provincial Hospital for the Insane and consisted of a single asylum building with extensive grounds and a productive farm known as ƛ̓éxətəm (formerly Colony Farm). Over the years the hospital grew, eventually consisting of dozens of building and housing thousands of patients. In 1965, it was renamed the Riverview Hospital, which remained its name until it closed in 2012. In 2021, the Riverview lands were renamed səmiq̓wəʔelə, which translates to Place of the Great Blue Heron in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm.
Collecting History
The Riverview Hospital Artifact Collection was originally compiled by staff and former staff of the Riverview Hospital. A staff committee started collecting historical artifacts from the institution in the 1980s. The group was officially incorporated as the Riverview Hospital Historical Society in 1997. They collected equipment, furniture, objects and documents to preserve and share the story of the hospital, its staff and its patients.
When the hospital closed in 2012, the City became the custodians of a collection of artifacts collected by the Riverview Hospital Historical Society. This collection of artifacts is a valuable historical resource that documents a century of mental health services in Coquitlam. Many of the historical documents and photographs were transferred to the City of Coquitlam Archives. Documents determined to be the property of the Provincial government were transferred to the Royal BC Museum.
New Digital Access
Previously available only in PDF format, the Riverview collection is now accessible online through a new searchable online database . This digital platform features photographs, detailed descriptions of artifacts, and related documents from the City Archives. The new database follows best practices in collection management and enhances public access to this valuable set of historical records.
The City also offers a loan program for select artifacts to institutions for educational and research purposes, on a case-by-case basis. Organizations interested in organizing a loan are encouraged to fill out an online form at coquitlam.ca/RiverviewArtifactLoan. Individual researchers or members of the public interested in seeing artifacts in person are also encouraged to fill out this online form.
Additional Opportunities to Access the Collection
- Collecting Riverview: A visual history of photographs and objects (PDF): learn more about the fascinating history of the Riverview Hospital . This publication from the City of Coquitlam tells the story of Riverview through a selection of artifacts, photographs and documents.
- Riverview Hospital Artifact Collection: Catalogue of Artifacts (PDF): a complete list of artifacts from the Riverview Hospital Artifact Collection. This catalogue of artifacts, published by the City of Coquitlam, highlights some of the significant objects in the collection and shares the history of how the collection was created.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the 150 Time Immemorial Grant Program in support of this project.
Riverview Hospital Collection Micro-Exhibitions
The Riverview Hospital Artifact Collection is brought to life through a series of micro-exhibitions that spotlight moments, people, and objects from a century of care and community. These themed showcases offer a focused lens into the lived experience of patients, staff, and the social fabric surrounding the hospital.
Behind the Recipes – Stories from the Kitchen
Location: City Hall
Date: September - November 2025
Riverview Hospital was a large institution, with a significant number of kitchen staff responsible for feeding the residents. As a self-sustaining Hospital, it sourced produce and meat from the adjacent Colony Farm, which were then delivered to the on-site kitchens. One of the only types of food that had to be purchased externally was fish.
Former staff speak very highly about the meals produced in the kitchen, but they assert that there was a significant shift in the quality when the hospital switched to the cook-chill system, where meals were cooked in advance, chilled, and later reheated for serving.
Residents also worked in the kitchens as part of their occupational therapy. The 1913 Annual Report noted that residents contributed 2,220 days of work annually in the kitchens.
The kitchens were part of the Department of Dietetics, which managed 199 people in 1953 (Department of Provincial Secretary, Mental Health Services, Annual Report 1953). These roles included chief dietitian, dietitians, five levels of cooks, kitchen helpers, dining-room stewards, and 107 resident workers. The Annual Report also provided insight into the standard recipe book used in the kitchens and noted changes occurring within the institution’s various kitchens, including renovations of the West Lawn kitchen and consideration of establishing a central butcher shop.
Seamstresses and Handicrafts – Stories Woven into Every Stitch
Location: Coquitlam Public Library – Poirier Branch
Dates: July - September 2025
Riverview aimed to be self-sustaining, with seamstresses and residents in the occupational therapy programs making many of the hospital’s uniforms and clothing.
Since the hospital opened in 1913, it had a Sewing Department (also known before as the Tailoring Department). In the first year, female residents produced items like nurses’ aprons, caps, and other uniform pieces and also repaired hundreds of garments.
When the Occupational Therapy department was created in 1930, it focused on making practical items for the hospital. By 1950, the program expanded to include more creative crafts like weaving, rug hooking, stuffed toy making, dressmaking, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, tatting, painting, and papercrafts (Department of Provincial Secretary, Mental Health Services, Annual Report 1950, p. V 31).
Some of the handicraft items stayed at the hospital, while others were entered in competitions at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, even winning awards. Items were also sold at hospital-run sales, helping raise funds for the hospital. For example, in 1953, according to the Hospital’s Annual Report, proceeds from the annual Christmas sale brought in $1,243.75.
- How can I find out more about what Riverview Hospital records are at the City of Coquitlam Archives?
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- Visit the City Archives page
- Call the Archives staff at 604-927-3900 or contact them by email.
- Can I donate something to the Riverview Hospital Artifact collection?
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- The City of Coquitlam Archives is actively collecting photographs, documents, and other records related to the hospital. Visit the City of Coquitlam Archives page or call the Archives staff at 604-927-3900 for information on collecting policies and how to make a donation.
- The City of Coquitlam is not currently accepting new donations of material for the Riverview Hospital Artifact Collection. However, we are currently documenting offers to share information about artifacts in the collection for follow up in the future. If you have information or a story to share about an item that is part of the Riverview Hospital Artifact Collection, please email Riverview Collection.
- Coquitlam Heritage collects artifacts associated with the Riverview Hospital and other aspects of Coquitlam’s heritage. For information on their collecting policies and how to make a donation, visit the Coquitlam Heritage site or call the Society at 604-516-6151.
- Can I borrow something from the collection for a display?
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- The City of Coquitlam is not currently processing loans of the artifacts in the Riverview Hospital Artifact Collection. We are currently collecting names and contact information for organizations interested in a loan for exhibition purposes for follow up in the future. If you are interested in organizing a future loan, please complete the online form.